My family, the Jensen's came to Ocean Falls in 1960. My father was a
Pipe fitter and we lived in the lower mainland from 1957 until 1960. My mother Ruth was a housewife and worked at the Bay later on when we lived in town. We first lived in Martin Valley in a basement suite of a house owned by George and Edith Weldridge. My parents became friends with them and with one other family in town who were the Hallums. We then rented a Panabode House in the Valley after that, which was located just up from the Weldridges which was on Garden Drive.
I believe we only lived in the Valley a year or so, because my sister Gail was born in Ocean Falls in 1963 and we were in town then, living on Second Street across from the Cross Family.
In 1964 we moved into the new Cypress Apartments which had been built on Nevin Avenue, right next to the Crown Theatre. The Prines and the Wytawhichs lived there also. I still remember going to see "The Bridge On The River Kwai" with my father. It is one of the very few fond memories I have with my father, I guess that's why it stands out.
I was 3 when we came to Ocean Falls in 1960 and since it is the first place I remember in my life, it will always be my home town.
My brother Barney was 7 and my sister Karin ( who was No 1 in Syncronize Swimming in BC one year ) was 9 when we moved there. Ocean Falls produced many of Canada's Olympic and Commonwealth Swimming greats; Lenora Fisher, Ralf Hutton, the Gilgrists and Ian McKenzie.
We lived in the Cypress Apts until 1967 when my mother took us kids and we left Ocean Falls.
I came back a couple of times in the '70's and have not been back since. My memories of Ocean Falls are mainly fond and I still miss that town to this day. There was a serenity, a calmness that I felt when I was there. I think people were meant to be close to nature and you couldn't get much closer than living in the Falls, that's for sure.
Going fishing up on Link Lake and taking our other boat out to Jenny Bay are memories that are forever locked in my mind and cherished. Playing up at the lake and sliding down the long branches of the trees are moments I remember and just the incredible beauty of the the surrounding mountains. I love mountains!
We were a family then.
I will return to live in Ocean Falls one day.
